OC center Reinke works out for Thunder ahead of NBA draft

OC center Will Reinke worked out Thursday for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 20, 2013) – As the NBA draft approaches, Oklahoma Christian’s Will Reinke is on the radar screen of one of the league’s elite teams.

Reinke – one of the top small-college players in the nation last season – was invited to participate in a pre-draft workout Thursday with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 6-foot-10 center from Lawton was one of six players who worked out for the Thunder, who have three picks in the June 27 draft – No. 12 and 29 overall in the first round and No. 32 overall in the second round.

NBA teams routinely bring in prospects in the weeks before each summer’s draft, but only a few small-college standouts ever receive an invite. Reinke is the first OC player to work out for an NBA team since Jarred Merrill, who worked out for the New Orleans Hornets in 2005.

Reinke said he received a call late Wednesday from the Thunder, requesting he be available for the workout. Thursday’s session included measurements, drills, a medical assessment, some scrimmaging and meetings with Thunder management and coaches.

“It was a good experience and I enjoyed every minute of it,” Reinke said. “It gave me a good view of where I need to get to.”

Reinke dominated the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference last season, averaging 19.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocked shots and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 58.4 percent from the field and 76.1 percent from the free-throw line. He led the Eagles to a 19-12 record and a berth in the National Christian College Athletic Association championship game.

Reinke earned All-Heartland Conference first-team honors, although the league refused to allow him to be considered for player-of-the-year honors because of OC’s first-year status in the Heartland. He also was an NCCAA All-America first-team pick.

In just three seasons with the Eagles, Reinke scored 1,527 points, good for 20th on OC’s career list. His 220 blocks ranked him second on OC’s career list in that category.

Reinke also has worked out for an NBA D-League team and has received offers to play professionally in Germany and Austria, but hasn’t determined yet where he’ll continue his basketball career.